You’ve Come A Long Way Baby

Check this out: Pentecostalism, Version 20.09

Some people twitch or roll their eyes when you say the word Pentecostal. The term conjures up outdated images of either (1) slick-haired, Bible-thumping preachers who spew saliva on the unfortunate souls seated in the first three pews, or (2) scowling women with their hair in buns who know how to scare you with glossolalia. Say goodbye to the worn-out stereotypes…

Great article about Grady’s observations at his daughter’s graduation from Emmanuel College. WE have come a long way that is for sure.

Brother Jesse

Torture and Christians

Check this article out: Torture debate prompts evangelical soul-searching

This has been a sore spot for me. Would we have been so willing to do this ten years ago? No doubt 9-11 has changed things but is it right for us to torture people to extract information from them? Even Israel gave up on that years ago. They found it was a very ineffective way to get information. I think I heard someone say recently that some of the most important information was obtained before they even started doing this to begin with.

The important question for me is: What Would Jesus Do? and thus, what would He have us do? I for one would not but should I support the government doing it. I just don’t think I can. I know that there will be Christians who will say that there may be lives hanging in the balance in certain situations and we must do what we must do but I wonder if that is the argument we should be entertaining. I’m sure that Jesus would have answered the question with another question but I can’t figure out what that would be right now.

I for one feel like we give up the moral high ground when we as a country approve of torturing people. We certainly don’t want anyone doing that to our folks. We didn’t appreciate the North Vietnamese doing it to our boys. Does “do unto others” apply here? Our standing in the world is already pretty low for most out there so I can’t imagine this helping.

I for one must conclude that this issue of torturing people for information is wrong. I don’t think it is Christian and I don’t think it is a good way to go for our government. I oppose it.

Brother Jesse